It is believed he was on his honeymoon on the Indian Ocean group of islands when tragedy struck yesterday.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed to the Irish Independent that it is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance to the deceased man's family in Ireland.

There is no Irish embassy in the Maldives. However, officials at the Irish embassy in New Delhi in India are liaising with the authorities in the Maldivian capital of Malé following the death of the Irishman.

The Maldives consists of almost 1,000 coral islands spread across hundreds of kilometres. However, just over 100 of the islands are inhabited and it has a flourishing tourist industry.

The destination has been gaining in popularity with Irish holidaymakers in recent years and is particularly popular among young and honeymooning couples.

A number of Irish-based tour operators organise holiday packages to the Indian Ocean islands.